Prof. Ryszard Horodecki, an eminent quantum physicist from the University of Gdańsk and co-founder of the Gdańsk school of quantum physics, has been honoured with a prestigious award for outstanding scientific achievements. The award is given to individuals who have made outstanding achievements in specific categories, with the winner's overall work reflecting the key values espoused by Stanisław Lem.
We are proud to announce that the Stanisław Lem Award for 2025 in the “Science’ category, granted by the Lem Institute, has been awarded to prof. Ryszard Horodecki - an outstanding physicist, co-founder of the so-called Gdańsk school of quantum physics, a scientist associated with the University of Gdańsk since its inception (he began working in 1967 at the Department of Theoretical Physics of the Higher Pedagogical School in Gdańsk). ‘The Polish school of quantum physics is absolutely world-class,’ emphasised the event organisers, commenting on the award for the Professor on their Facebook page.
Professor Ryszard Horodecki is one of the most frequently cited physicists in the world and is among the top 2% of the most influential scientists (list compiled by Stanford University in collaboration with Elsevier).
A special place in his oeuvre is occupied by his 2009 work ‘Quantum entanglement’, which became the foundation of modern quantum physics. Prof. Ryszard Horodecki and his research team (his sons: prof. Paweł Horodecki, prof. Michał Horodecki and dr hab Karol Horodecki, prof. UG) developed a practical method for detecting quantum entanglement, which is now used in laboratories around the world.
He was one of the initiators of the International Centre for Theory of Quantum Technologies (ICTQT) at the University of Gdańsk, which brings together leading researchers in the field of quantum information theory and cooperates with the world's most important scientific centres. He is a member of the Polish Academy of Sciences and the recipient of many prestigious awards and distinctions.
In 2011, Professor Horodecki received the prestigious ERC Advanced Grant from the European Research Council - one of the first grants of this rank awarded to a Polish physicist.
‘The award for Prof. Ryszard Horodecki is another clear sign that the quantum school developed at the University of Gdańsk is at the highest global level,’ emphasises the Dean of the Faculty of Mathematics, Physics and Computer Science, dr hab. Marcin Marciniak, prof. UG. ‘We are proud of the achievements of our faculty's scientists, who have been building the international position of the Gdańsk quantum research centre for years. I hope that these successes will translate into further support and stable funding for research conducted in Gdańsk and at the University of Gdańsk, so that we can continue to develop science at the highest global level.’
The Stanisław Lem Award is granted by the Stanisław Lem Institute, a centre promoting science, humanities and reflection on the future of technology in the spirit of its patron's work. The Institute supports interdisciplinary research and honours scientists whose work combines scientific precision with a vision of the development of civilisation inspired by Lem's ideas.
In addition to his impressive scientific work, Professor Ryszard Horodecki is also the author of several volumes of poetry.
The award ceremony took place on October 8, 2025, at the Grand Theatre in Łódź.
We warmly congratulate Professor Horodecki!